No. 742: Pall Mall, SW1

The death of William Rufus, accidentally in the New Forest, on the 2d of August, by Sir Walter Tyrrel, a knight celebrated for his unrivalled skill in archery, reminds us what an important part the shooting with bows and arrows has played in the historic annals of England. We see this from a letter written by Edward III. to the sheriffs of the city of London, dated June 12, 1349, in which he mentions the “honour and profit that have accrued to our whole realm and to us by the help of God, and no small assistance in our warlike acts,” through the proficiency of the archers. “The said skill being, as it were, wholly laid aside,” continues the King, “everyone of the said city [London], strong in body, at leisure time, on holidays, shall use, in recreations, bows and arrows, or pellets or bolts, and learn and exercise the art of shooting; forbidding all and singular, on our behalf, that they do after any manner apply themselves to the throwing of stones, wood, or iron, hand-ball, foot-ball, bandy-ball, etc.,nor such like vain plays which have no profit in them.”